It is a sphere. Our saying 'existent' (vücüdi) is to draw attention to the fact that, unlike the previously mentioned hebā (primordial dust) and tabīʿat (nature), these spheres are only notional and not ayni (real). This sphere is called the 'atlas' because there are no stars or celestial bodies within it. For this reason, there is no sign to indicate its period of revolution or that it traverses an orbit. In one part of this sphere, I saw a small sphere that revolves seventy thousand times in its orbit in the blink of an eye, and I asked what it was. I was told that it is the 'sphere of the instant' (ân feleği), that is, a sphere whose every revolution is called an 'instant' (ân). This 'atlas' sphere is the mover of all spheres that revolve by their own motion. Its motion arises from nature in a single manner and with a single will. Therefore, by Allah's will, the subsistence of the cosmos (baqāʾ) continues for a long time. (Merātib, 32)
One of the Merātib-i vücūd (degrees of existence) is the sphere of Gemini (felek-i cevzā); it is a notional celestial body that does not have existence in itself (biʿaynihi), and it consists of the two known distances between the sun and the moon among the Merātib-i vücūd.
One of these two distances is called the 'head,' and the other is called the 'tail.' At one of these distances, when the world (dunyā) comes between the moon and the sun, the moon cannot receive the sun's light, and a lunar eclipse occurs, because the moon's light comes from the sun. At the second distance, the moon comes between the world and the sun, and just as a cloud blocks and prevents the light, it prevents the sunlight from reaching the world. In this case, a solar eclipse occurs. If we were to explain the details of these, it would take much time with many mathematical calculations. This is philosophy itself. However, this much suffices regarding the meaning in question. This notional celestial body has been considered at the level of the 'sphere of spheres' (felekler feleği). For notional states occupy the highest rank among material existents in the world of existence (ʿālam al-wujūd). (Merātib, 33)
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the sphere called felek-i mükevkeb (the sphere adorned with celestial bodies) and the mıntıka-yı burūj (the region of the zodiac), that is, the felek-i eflāk (the sphere of spheres). All the fixed stars and planets, except for the seven celestial bodies within the seven heavens, are within it. If it were not so (that is, if there were no sphere of spheres), all the stars and celestial bodies would not be contained within it. For this reason, it is called the region of the zodiac, the sphere of spheres, and the adorned sphere. Know that the existence of the stars in their spheres is like the existence of a fish in water. In each star's sphere, there is a small sphere in which the star revolves, and, just as the heart preserves the continuation of life, there is a pole (qutb) of the same kind as the adorned sphere that preserves it.
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of Saturn (Semāʾ-yi Zuhal). That is the seventh heaven. The substance of this heaven is black like a dark night. Allah created it corresponding to the human intellect. It is the heaven of our master Abraham (peace be upon him). (Merātib, 34)
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of Jupiter (Semāʾ-yi Mushtarī). The substance of this heaven is blue. Allah created it corresponding to anxiety and worry in man. It is the heaven of our master Moses (peace be upon him).
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of Behrām (Semāʾ-yi Behrām). That is Mars. Allah created it corresponding to imagination (wahm) in man. Its color is red like blood. It is the heaven of our master John (peace be upon him).
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of the Sun (Semāʾ-yi Shams). Its color is yellow like gold. It is the heart of the spheres. Allah created it corresponding to the heart (qalb) of man. It is the heaven of our master Idris (peace be upon him).
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of Venus (Semāʾ-yi Zuhra). The substance of this heaven is green. Allah created it corresponding to the faculty of imagination (hayāl) in man. It is the heaven of our master Joseph (peace be upon him). (Merātib, 35)
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of Mercury (Semāʾ-yi ʿUṭārid). The substance of this heaven is leaden. Allah created it corresponding to the intellect's apprehension of reality (ḥaqīqa) in man. It is the heaven of Noah (peace be upon him).
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the Heaven of the Moon (Semāʾ-yi Qamar). The substance of this heaven is white and transparent like silver. Allah created it corresponding to the spirit (rūḥ) in the human body. It is the heaven of Adam (peace be upon him).
Another of the Merātib-i vücūd is the sphere of fire (kürre-i nāriyye). That is the etheric sphere called the sphere of fire. In the world of coming-into-being and corruption (kawn wa fasād), actual motion originates from this sphere according to the Tenth Intellect, the Active Intellect. This sphere is fourfold.